Carlow to Cork Tractor Run

History of Carlow to Cork tractor club. 18/05/2026

Carlow to Cork tractor club was set up in 2005 making this the 22nd year that the Club has committed to raising funds for Crumlin’s sick children. To date we have raised over €620,135 for CHI Crumlin hospital.

Crumlin Hospital is very close to our hearts and is important to so many people in Ireland. There are a lot of sick kids out there and we’re doing our bit to help. The Carlow to Cork Tractor Club has about 100 members and every year on the June Bank Holiday weekend we begin our journey to raise funds for CHI Crumlin. Over the course of two days, we hit the road on our vintage tractors, which are 60/70 years old.

It’s amazing how people are willing to throw some money our way during the event. It really shows how helping sick children is a cause close to everyone’s heart. The trip itself is full of great fun and camaraderie. We start off in Fenagh Co Carlow, spend one night in Dungarvan Co Waterford and finish up at Halfway Ballinhassig Co Cork where a lovely family take care of us. We have music and a BBQ to celebrate. We all look forward to this trip so much every year. Ask anybody in the group if they’re looking forward to holidays in Spain or abroad and they’ll tell you how it’s the Carlow to Cork Tractor Run that they’re most looking forward to!

If you take a tour of Crumlin Hospital you will realise how easy it is to do what we do. It’s one of those special places and you want to help. We have a great relationship with the hospital, CHI and Catherine, The Hospital Liaison Officer gave us a great tour of the hospital and provides support for our fundraising. I think with Irish people there’s a tendency to want to help. With commitment and a few good people behind you, you can make a big difference to the lives of sick children. If you have these, you won’t have a problem fundraising!

As a rule, from the first year that we done the run to Cork we donate all funds raised to the hospital, our club members pay all their own expenses on all trips, no exceptions. We pride ourselves on this, at the end of every year our bank balance is zero.

In 2025 we donated towards the purchase of KIDS Project (Kids Dynamic Seating) Funding for Paediatric chairs, to promote and facilitate early mobility post cardiothoracic surgery and extra life support (ECLS) €18,998 & Play and sensory play department play room, Oak ward, Maple ward, OPDA, and ECU €10,000

2026 donation will fund projects in the Play department in Tallaght Hospital and Social work fund in Temple Street hospital.

Our Goal for 2026 is to raise €30K, we will as always work hard to reach and surpass our target.

With the continued kindness and generosity of our supporters across Ireland and beyond, we will continue to support the patients, families and staff in Children’s Health Ireland – today, tomorrow, and in the future.